Rating System Uses
strange
Saturday, October 14, 2006 by kenwas | Discussion: Community
I hope that this is not viewed as our usual monthly rant about the rating system. It is what it is, fairer than some, less fair than others. No rating system is perfect and this one does give the community the opportunity to state its opinion. I do not understand however, what the site then does with the ratings. Let me see if I have this right.....
If you DO NOT PAY (not a current subscriber) you get to see only the works which the community has deemed it best through the rating system. In the Wall section, this means a rating of 4 stars (8) or better.
Now, if you DO PAY, , as a subscriber you get to see the works that were deemed to be average or below as well. This logic progresses that if there were an option for an extra subscription payment, well, why then you could also see the work that was rejected!
This makes no sense to me.
The only ones penalized by this use of the rating system are the people who pay and can upload as much of the work will never be seen by the "public". Certainly only subscribers should have the right to vote. But that is a narrow segment of the viewers and it would be interesting to see how the actual downloads would look if all submissions were equally accessible to the public viewer ratings and all.
Now, if the goal is to reduce traffic and bandwidth usage then is policy makes sense. But that is a strange goal for a site that exists to show graphic representation of the uses of its products and to encourage people interested in customizing their desktop to give it a go.
If you DO NOT PAY (not a current subscriber) you get to see only the works which the community has deemed it best through the rating system. In the Wall section, this means a rating of 4 stars (8) or better.
Now, if you DO PAY, , as a subscriber you get to see the works that were deemed to be average or below as well. This logic progresses that if there were an option for an extra subscription payment, well, why then you could also see the work that was rejected!
This makes no sense to me.
The only ones penalized by this use of the rating system are the people who pay and can upload as much of the work will never be seen by the "public". Certainly only subscribers should have the right to vote. But that is a narrow segment of the viewers and it would be interesting to see how the actual downloads would look if all submissions were equally accessible to the public viewer ratings and all.
Now, if the goal is to reduce traffic and bandwidth usage then is policy makes sense. But that is a strange goal for a site that exists to show graphic representation of the uses of its products and to encourage people interested in customizing their desktop to give it a go.
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Inge18
Reply #2 Saturday, October 14, 2006 9:00 AM
Reply #2 Saturday, October 14, 2006 9:00 AM
I guess it has to do with promotion: When you come here for the first time you only see higher rated items = (commonly) higher quality items. So you think: Boah, what a lot of great stuff here! I will definitly come back! 
Well, after stopping by a few times you want more, so you become a member. But when you see then the lesser quality stuff, it doesn't matter, because you're addicted to the site yet. And when you're addicted, you want even more, so you subscribe ...
That's how it should work, right?
Well, after stopping by a few times you want more, so you become a member. But when you see then the lesser quality stuff, it doesn't matter, because you're addicted to the site yet. And when you're addicted, you want even more, so you subscribe ...
That's how it should work, right?
_02
Reply #3 Saturday, October 14, 2006 10:34 AM
I think it changed because the rate to see "wallpapers" as a non member is 8. The rate to see any other skin as a non member is 7.
I agree with everything said in Kenwas statement, but I take it a step further. The rate that someone gives doesn't mean much without an explanation. If it is based on someones idea of what they think is good art, then it means nothing. Not everyone has the same taste. It's hard for me to rate something on my taste or what I think is "good" art. I am able to appreciate all art whether I like the style of it or not. Do people really have the right to judge someones art as good or bad?
Having said that, I believe we all have a right to know what we like and don't like, but we do not have the right to inflict that opinion on someones work. There have been so many threads on this subject, and it is obvious, rating is going to continue to be allowed and not just here.
I think the whole rating system would be much better off if the person rating was identified and the reason for that rate given be provided to the person being rated. It would certainly stop the drive by ratings and those done by people with an agenda. Lets at lest make the rating system responisible. Just my 2 cents worth.
Reply #3 Saturday, October 14, 2006 10:34 AM
| Unless things have changed |
I think it changed because the rate to see "wallpapers" as a non member is 8. The rate to see any other skin as a non member is 7.
I agree with everything said in Kenwas statement, but I take it a step further. The rate that someone gives doesn't mean much without an explanation. If it is based on someones idea of what they think is good art, then it means nothing. Not everyone has the same taste. It's hard for me to rate something on my taste or what I think is "good" art. I am able to appreciate all art whether I like the style of it or not. Do people really have the right to judge someones art as good or bad?
Having said that, I believe we all have a right to know what we like and don't like, but we do not have the right to inflict that opinion on someones work. There have been so many threads on this subject, and it is obvious, rating is going to continue to be allowed and not just here.
I think the whole rating system would be much better off if the person rating was identified and the reason for that rate given be provided to the person being rated. It would certainly stop the drive by ratings and those done by people with an agenda. Lets at lest make the rating system responisible. Just my 2 cents worth.
SIXX21
Reply #4 Saturday, October 14, 2006 11:16 AM
Adjusting your browser setting will block most of the ads…….and clearing your cookies will give you unlimited downloads. And as for the rating system…..it all about getting subscriptions and DRAMA.
Reply #4 Saturday, October 14, 2006 11:16 AM
| Being a subscriber blocks the adds and gives you unlimited downloads. |
Adjusting your browser setting will block most of the ads…….and clearing your cookies will give you unlimited downloads. And as for the rating system…..it all about getting subscriptions and DRAMA.
Bandit4edu
Reply #5 Tuesday, October 17, 2006 12:31 AM
sorry, I flunked Drama...but I did real well at Lunch & Recess
Reply #5 Tuesday, October 17, 2006 12:31 AM
| it all about getting subscriptions and DRAMA. |
sorry, I flunked Drama...but I did real well at Lunch & Recess
Fairyy~
Reply #6 Thursday, October 19, 2006 9:15 AM
most of us know this but dont go around advertising it. Not really the proper thing to do if you belong to a site.
again - my mistake that I prefer to PAY my way.....
Reply #6 Thursday, October 19, 2006 9:15 AM
| clearing your cookies will give you unlimited downloads. |
most of us know this but dont go around advertising it. Not really the proper thing to do if you belong to a site.
again - my mistake that I prefer to PAY my way.....
WOM
Reply #7 Thursday, October 19, 2006 10:13 AM
Reply #7 Thursday, October 19, 2006 10:13 AM
Karen, they just like to impress people with their cheap ways of getting things for free.. To bad.
_02
Reply #8 Thursday, October 19, 2006 10:23 AM
What's even more too bad than that is it isn't near as impressive as they think it is.
Reply #8 Thursday, October 19, 2006 10:23 AM
| Karen, they just like to impress people with their cheap ways of getting things for free.. To bad. |
What's even more too bad than that is it isn't near as impressive as they think it is.
Fairyy~
Reply #9 Thursday, October 19, 2006 10:45 AM
It often makes me wonder if they even realise how that works in reverse ..it sure doesn't give brownie points... I feel if someone figures it out - well , thats their good fortune - if they think getting freebies is the way to go.
Werent you impressed ? Let me see if I can " Wow " you today
Free...thats right you heard it here today FREE ... SQUIGGLES to anyone that says " Squiggle me " today only
Reply #9 Thursday, October 19, 2006 10:45 AM
| Karen, they just like to impress people with their cheap ways of getting things for free.. To bad. |
It often makes me wonder if they even realise how that works in reverse ..it sure doesn't give brownie points... I feel if someone figures it out - well , thats their good fortune - if they think getting freebies is the way to go.
What's even more too bad than that is it isn't near as impressive as they think it is. |
Werent you impressed ? Let me see if I can " Wow " you today
Free...thats right you heard it here today FREE ... SQUIGGLES to anyone that says " Squiggle me " today only
_02
Reply #10 Thursday, October 19, 2006 10:54 AM
Reply #10 Thursday, October 19, 2006 10:54 AM
You crack me up Karen!! hehe. Oh, and count me in to be squiggled. That has made my day! Now I'm impressed, Thanks!!
Fairyy~
Reply #12 Thursday, October 19, 2006 11:11 AM
Reply #12 Thursday, October 19, 2006 11:11 AM
Its the Internet-You didnt really think i was gonna give it away for free did ya ? That was the Evil Squiggle talking....
Fairyy aka aTILDEtheHUN
Fairyy aka aTILDEtheHUN
Fairyy~
Reply #15 Thursday, October 19, 2006 11:27 AM
"tis the way of the Internet my Dear...
Plus, Po Smedleys not around - you can be sure he'd have that graphics proggie open and those squiggles multiplying like squabbits
Reply #15 Thursday, October 19, 2006 11:27 AM
| Hehe... |
| Dang, you bursted my bubble!! |
"tis the way of the Internet my Dear...
Plus, Po Smedleys not around - you can be sure he'd have that graphics proggie open and those squiggles multiplying like squabbits
_02
Reply #16 Thursday, October 19, 2006 11:33 AM
Reply #16 Thursday, October 19, 2006 11:33 AM
ah yes, that is another disappointment. I guess I am no longer impressed again! squabbits, hehehe 
Fairyy~
Reply #17 Thursday, October 19, 2006 12:17 PM
Before I hijacked your thread ken...I had wanted to comment on this.
Rating per se , do not always make a difference - if something is available to the public - it gets more downloads. Its pretty simple. Watch any wall that remains at 4 stars for 24 hours. I've seen walls being downloaded at a fairly large clip. Then all of a sudden the wall gets downrated to a 7 - its no longer visible to the public - downloads become sporatic at best. Walls need a rating of 8 ( 4 stars ) to be visible to public - lots of great stuff rated below that - but the public really doesnt know this - too bad there wasnt more emphasis on this.
Widget and DX Gallery a 7 or above to be seen by public
Rainlendars and some of the others are 5 or 6 rating.
Windowblinds 5 or a 6 rate - not sure on the 5 but I know wb's with a 4 rating ( 2 stars ) do not show up unless im signed in..but 3 star blinds do. Im pretty sure 2.5 rated blinds do too because they can still have high download counts. Unless the User has their own preferences set to not view skins under a certain rating - mine is set to view all - but i still need to sign in or I see the same walls for 2 weeks sometimes.
Not sure what the solution is though either - a wall can have tons of downloads by strangers yet not one comment ...I guess its what a person values more ...personally I just like to see everyone treated equally ........
One would think subscribers would have more in the way of " perks " but it (WC/Stardock ) is also a buisness and if you have ever own your own business then you know that is what comes first - thats just the way it is...
Reply #17 Thursday, October 19, 2006 12:17 PM
| But that is a narrow segment of the viewers and it would be interesting to see how the actual downloads would look if all submissions were equally accessible to the public viewer ratings and all. |
Before I hijacked your thread ken...I had wanted to comment on this.
Rating per se , do not always make a difference - if something is available to the public - it gets more downloads. Its pretty simple. Watch any wall that remains at 4 stars for 24 hours. I've seen walls being downloaded at a fairly large clip. Then all of a sudden the wall gets downrated to a 7 - its no longer visible to the public - downloads become sporatic at best. Walls need a rating of 8 ( 4 stars ) to be visible to public - lots of great stuff rated below that - but the public really doesnt know this - too bad there wasnt more emphasis on this.
Widget and DX Gallery a 7 or above to be seen by public
Rainlendars and some of the others are 5 or 6 rating.
Windowblinds 5 or a 6 rate - not sure on the 5 but I know wb's with a 4 rating ( 2 stars ) do not show up unless im signed in..but 3 star blinds do. Im pretty sure 2.5 rated blinds do too because they can still have high download counts. Unless the User has their own preferences set to not view skins under a certain rating - mine is set to view all - but i still need to sign in or I see the same walls for 2 weeks sometimes.
Not sure what the solution is though either - a wall can have tons of downloads by strangers yet not one comment ...I guess its what a person values more ...personally I just like to see everyone treated equally ........
One would think subscribers would have more in the way of " perks " but it (WC/Stardock ) is also a buisness and if you have ever own your own business then you know that is what comes first - thats just the way it is...
Bandit4edu
Reply #19 Thursday, October 19, 2006 12:35 PM
We get Jafo the human thesaurus! What more could one ask for????
I think it's a heck of a value for the money!
Reply #19 Thursday, October 19, 2006 12:35 PM
| One would think subscribers would have more in the way of " perks " |
We get Jafo the human thesaurus! What more could one ask for????
I think it's a heck of a value for the money!
WOM
Reply #20 Thursday, October 19, 2006 12:48 PM
Reply #20 Thursday, October 19, 2006 12:48 PM
Thats a pretty good assessment Fairyy. To bad 90% of the walls are not good enough to be rated 4 stars. How many orb, squigglies, boats or mountain scenes can keep getting 4 stars when ya seen 1 ya seen them all. Oh well, my 2 cents.
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Reply #1 Saturday, October 14, 2006 8:17 AM
If your not a member you only see those that have a rating of 7 and above. If your a member of the site you see it all. Being a subscriber blocks the adds and gives you unlimited downloads.